UNIK mid-term evaluation – University of Copenhagen

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Center for Synthetic Biology > About Center for Synthetic Biology > UNIK mid-term evaluation

UNIK mid-term evaluation  

Below is a summary of the UNIK project evaluation, focusing on UNIK synthetic biology. Read the full evaluation here.

 

- Regarding embedment Synthetic Biology has already secured significant external funding and will train a large number of highly qualified researchers.

- Synthetic Biology contains several potentially groundbreaking ideas and a high level of research excellence.

- There is a vast cross-disciplinary collaboration and collaboration among faculties within the university, which seem to drive the research forward. There are clearly new synergies emerging across different fields of research, and this appears to be highly motivating and educational for all parties, not least for the PhD students.

UNIK Center for Synthetic Biology Evaluators

Harriet Wallberg-Henriksson - Karolinska Institute 
Olli Ilkkala - Helsinki University of Technology

The general opinion of the panel was that the site visit was far better organised this year compared to last year. Furthermore, Synthetic Biology has handled the issues raised at last year’s visit satisfactorily, e.g. the ethical issues and the risks of a relatively narrow research focus. The UNIK appears to be progressing well. It is still early in the process and major breakthroughs in science cannot be expected at this point. That being said, the panel finds that research is clearly very promising.

Science 
Synthetic Biology contains several potentially groundbreaking ideas and a high level of research excellence. The UNIK addresses a “hot” research topic which presents many opportunities, but also high risk. At an international level, many research groups are struggling to be in the lead.

Synthetic Biology has extensive international collaboration. An international workshop is being co-organised with University of California at Berkeley in August 2011. Industry contacts are not that pronounced yet, which is to be expected at this early stage. The panel finds that if industry relations can be advanced at a later stage, it will be a very positive development.

A concern last year was that the projects were overly-focused, in the sense that there are no alternatives if the focus of the research is proven to be wrong. The impression given from the second site visit is that Synthetic Biology has expanded its research focus. Moreover, the current management supports a more flexible approach to the research focus that enables the groups to seek and explore their success.

Organisation
The anticipated change in the management of the UNIK was a matter of concern after the last site visit. This year’s site visit proved that the current management is highly capable and has contributed positively to the enthusiasm and professionalism which is clearly present in Synthetic Biology.

There is a vast cross-disciplinary collaboration and collaboration among faculties within the university, which seem to drive the research forward. There are clearly new synergies emerging across different fields of research, and this appears to be highly motivating and educational for all parties, not least for the PhD students.

The implied ethical issued regarding Synthetic Biology has been discussed within the UNIK. Although the ethical issues are not fully resolved, it is reassuring that the matter is being addressed in a timely and professional manner.

Embedment 
Regarding embedment Synthetic Biology has already secured significant external funding and will train a large number of highly qualified researchers. Furthermore, the UNIK is home to important research infrastructure and a university building for a Plant Science Centre at LIFE is envisaged. The UNIK has succeeded with four recent international recruitments, which will support the embedment of the UNIK.

Nevertheless, how the University of Copenhagen intends to continue with identified successful elements from Synthetic Biology after 2014 is still unclear. The University of Copenhagen is currently working on its new strategy and it has been indicated that the UNIK embedment is a part of the coming strategy. Embedment should be a focus point on the agenda for next year’s site visit.